Ella Kate Huson

There's something about holding a tiny newborn baby that makes you feel as if the world has stopped for a moment, and God and all of heaven is smiling down upon you and this precious miracle. My friend Heather had her baby girl, Ella Kate, on July 16th and she is beautiful. I was holding her last night and there was a quiet voice inside my head saying "look at this amazing example of God's goodness to her mommy and daddy," and then there was the not so quiet voice saying "I am so glad I'm not the one waking up with her at 2am."

I've got to say, though, Heather and Steve are really doing well. Baby girl's been easy on them so far, sleeping 4 hours in a row at night. Heck, Ty didn't sleep 4 hours in a row until he was 9 months old, and because I got up every hour while I was pregnant with him to relieve my smooshed bladder, I'm estimating there were about 18 months of nights that I would have KILLED for 4 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Not that I'm bitter. Not at all.

Actually, as much as sleep deprivation can be a hazard to anyone's emotional stability, I tried to make the best of it by praying for my boys during those midnight feedings. There were many nights that I forgot, or just plain refused to, but I hope my prayers weren't in vain. Jake might not amount to anything because he slept through the night at 2 months and never looked back, but I'm pretty sure Ty will be the next Pope with the amount I've prayed for that child.

Heather and Steve, welcome to the greatest adventure you'll ever experience. You will laugh, you will cry, you will pray like you've never prayed before. Parenthood is the most exhausting and exhilarating task you will ever be called to. I know you're up for it!

And little Ella, welcome to the world. You've got a lot of people who love you and are praying for your new little family. You are truly a miracle, in more ways than one.